Top closure member for a storage bin

ABSTRACT

A closure member for a top opening of a storage bin wherein the storage bin includes a roof with a top opening through which the bin can be filled by material discharged downwardly through the opening; the closure member comprising: a sleeve for engagement with the bin at the opening, the sleeve having a peripheral wall surrounding an axis of the sleeve; the sleeve being arranged to be mounted on the bin at the opening so as to hold the axis to stand substantially upright from the opening with the sleeve extending upwardly from the opening; the sleeve defining an open top end for pouring material through the sleeve into the bin; a cover plate for movement between a closed position covering the open top end and an open position in which the open top end is exposed; the sleeve having a plurality of openings therethrough at angularly spaced positions therearound for allowing vent air to pass between the interior and the exterior of the bin.

This invention relates to a top closure member for a storage bin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Storage bins for particulate materials are well known and widely used. Conventionally the storage bin comprises a metal wall mounted on a suitable base with a metal wall having vertical cylindrical section together with a top conical section which converges upwardly and inwardly toward a top opening through which the bin is intended to be filled.

Such bins are primarily but not exclusively used for storing harvested crop and it is well known that crop materials require careful storage to ensure suitable moisture content. Thus the bin should provide a top closure member over the opening which prevents the penetration of moisture from rain or snow. In addition it is often desirable to provide vents for the bin so as to allow injected air at the base of the bin to rise through the stored crop materials to vents at the top of the bin. Commonly such vents are provided at spaced positions around the conical roof section in a similar manner to roof vents used on dwellings. Such roof vents are thus designed generally to inhibit or prevent the penetration of moisture while allowing air to escape. However such vents require additional elements to be purchased and installed thus increasing the cost.

In addition a cover panel for a top of the closure member of the top opening requires to be opened to fill the bin and closed to provide the necessary closure.

It is common that the top closure member is a hinged flap which can pivot about a horizontal hinge at one edge to be raised and lowered. It is desirable that such opening and closing is effected using a cable from the ground so as to avoid a person climbing dangerously to the top of the bin, particularly in the unsuitable weather conditions which can be found in winter when the bin is use.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,244 (Christianson) issued May 31, 1988 is provided such an arrangement in which a hinged cover panel is operated by a lever system from the ground.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,936 (Pavlicek) issued May 19, 1981 is disclosed a storage bin of this type which utilizes a cover panel which slides horizontally on guide tracks from a closed position over the opening to one side of the opening. The cover panel is in the for of a flat plate thus making sealing around the edges of the plate difficult relative to the opening and requiring a particular construction of the plate and sealing edges. The horizontal sliding action prevents the use of a conventional cover plate which has a depending protective flange around the outside edge of the cover plate. Cover plates of this type can include a circular top cover plate together with a cylindrical or annular band or flange which projects downwardly from the outside edge of the plate so that this can engage over a collar at the top of the bin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of the invention to provide a closure member for a storage bin.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a closure member for a top opening of a storage bin:

wherein the storage bin includes a roof with a top opening through which the bin can be filled by material discharged downwardly through the opening;

the closure member comprising:

a sleeve for engagement with the bin at the opening, the sleeve having a peripheral wall surrounding an axis of the sleeve;

the sleeve being arranged to be mounted on the bin at the opening so as to hold the axis to stand substantially upright from the opening with the sleeve extending upwardly from the opening;

the sleeve defining an open top end for pouring material through the sleeve into the bin;

a cover plate for movement between a closed position covering the open top end and an open position in which the open top end is exposed;

the sleeve having a plurality of openings therethrough at angularly spaced positions therearound for allowing vent air to pass between the interior and the exterior of the bin.

The sleeve is not necessarily cylindrical and may be partly tapered or wholly tapered with the narrower end at the top or bottom and the term “sleeve” is not intended to be so limited.

Preferably the sleeve includes a cylindrical portion defining a vertical wall and wherein the openings are arranged in the cylindrical portion.

Preferably there is provided an overhanging cover surface surrounding the sleeve above the openings and extending outwardly from the sleeve to inhibit penetration of rain through the openings.

Preferably there is provided a depending flap member over the openings which is arranged such that it flexes away from the sleeve when air flows from the interior to the exterior through the openings and is pressed onto the sleeve when air tends to flow from the exterior to the interior thus inhibiting penetration of exterior materials.

Preferably the flap member comprises a surrounding band of a flexible material which is slit from the bottom and attached at a top edge above the openings.

Preferably the sleeve includes a bottom tapered portion which tapers downwardly and inwardly from a cylindrical portion to a bottom edge and wherein the tapered portion is arranged to fit in a bin opening having a smaller diameter than the cylindrical portion.

Preferably the cover plate has a depending lip for surrounding an outer surface of the sleeve at the open top of the sleeve, wherein there is provided a track extending generally horizontally from the open top of the sleeve to one side therefor for carrying the cover plate from the closed position to the open position at the one side

Preferably the track is shaped to lift the lip over the open top end to allow the cover plate to move to the side.

Preferably the track includes a pair of track rails spaced by a width of the cover plate and arranged to engage respective sides of the cover plate.

Preferably there is provided a latch member actuable to hold the cover plate in the closed position and in the open position.

Preferably the latch member is carried on the cover plate and is operable to engage and release stops provided on the track.

Preferably the cover plate is pulled from the closed position to the open position by a cable attached to the latch member.

Preferably the track is arranged to rise slightly from the closed position to the open position such that the cover plate returns to the closed position under gravity by running down the track.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a closure member for a top opening of a storage bin:

wherein the storage bin includes a roof with a top opening through which the bin can be filled by material discharged downwardly through the opening;

the closure member comprising:

a sleeve for engagement with the bin at the opening, the sleeve having a peripheral wall surrounding an axis of the sleeve;

the sleeve being arranged to be mounted on the bin at the opening so as to hold the axis to stand substantially upright from the opening with the sleeve extending upwardly from the opening;

the sleeve defining an open top end for pouring material through the sleeve into the bin;

a cover plate for movement between a closed position covering the open top end and an open position in which the open top end is exposed;

wherein the cover plate has a depending lip for surrounding an outer surface of the sleeve at the open top of the sleeve,

wherein there is provided a track extending generally horizontally from the open top of the sleeve to one side thereof for carrying the cover plate from the closed position to the open position at the one side;

and wherein the track is shaped to lift the lip over the open top end to allow the cover plate to move to the side.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a closure member for a top opening of a storage bin:

wherein the storage bin includes a roof with a top opening through which the bin can be filled by material discharged downwardly through the opening;

the closure member comprising:

a sleeve for engagement with the bin at the opening, the sleeve having a peripheral wall surrounding an axis of the sleeve;

the sleeve being arranged to be mounted on the bin at the opening so as to hold the axis to stand substantially upright from the opening with the sleeve extending upwardly from the opening;

the sleeve defining an open top end for pouring material through the sleeve into the bin;

a cover plate for movement between a closed position covering the open top end and an open position in which the open top end is exposed;

wherein the sleeve includes a cylindrical portion and a bottom tapered portion which tapers downwardly and inwardly from the cylindrical portion to a bottom edge and wherein the tapered portion is arranged to fit in a bin opening having a smaller diameter than the cylindrical portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a closure member for storage bin of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the closure member of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the closure member of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are similar views to that of FIG. 2 showing the cover panel in an initial opening position and in a completed opened position.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view similar to that of FIG. 2 showing a modified construction for use as a retro fit on existing bins.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale of the cylindrical section of the sleeve showing the moisture flap arrangement.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A storage bin comprises a base 10 and a cylindrical wall 11 of a conventional nature. At the top of the cylindrical wall is provided a conical roof section 12 which extends upwardly and inwardly converging to a top opening generally indicated at 13 through which the bin can be loaded. At the opening 30 is mounted a collar 14 which attaches to an upper edge 15 of the conical roof 12 to define a central opening through which air can pass and through which the material to be stored can be poured to fill the bin. Around the opening is provided the collar or ring 14 which attaches in conventional manner by a flange 14A to the top of the wall 15.

The collar 14 attaches to a sleeve 16 which defines a cylindrical wall extending from a bottom edge 16A to a top edge 16B. The cylindrical wall forming the sleeve 16 has a series of holes 16C at angularly spaced positions around the sleeve. Each hole extends from a bottom edge 16D to a top edge 16E spaced from the top edge 16B. The holes are rectangular preferably but may be of different shapes. Each hole is spaced from the next by a strip 16F of the sleeve. The holes are relatively large so that the majority of the sleeve in the area of the holes between the top and bottom edges of the holes is perforated.

A rain shield 17 is attached to the sleeve 16 across the top edges 16E of the holes 16C. The rain shield 17 is in the form of a frusto-conical surface extending from a top edge 17A welded or otherwise attached to the sleeve 16 to a bottom edge 17D which is spaced outwardly from the sleeve 16 and at a position approximately halfway down the holes 16C. Thus the rain shield 17 tends to prevent rain falling vertically or at an angle less than an angle of the order of 45° to the vertical from penetrating directly through the holes 16C.

In some situations the rain shield 17 may be sufficient to prevent the penetration of moisture by rain and/or snow. In some areas snow, which tends to be more buoyant in the air and thus move at higher angles to the vertical may not be a problem so that the rain shield 17 is sufficient.

As shown in FIG. 7 an additional alternative moisture penetration system is shown mounted on the sleeve 16. In this case there is provided a band 20 of a flexible fabric material which is wrapped around the sleeve 16 and covers the holes 16C. The band 20 has a top edge 20A just above the top edges of the holes and a bottom edge 20B approximately at the bottom of the sleeve 16. The band 20 is held in place by a suitable fastening mechanism at a position above the holes 16 and in the embodiment shown the fastening mechanism comprises a surrounding clamping band 21 which is fastened to the sleeve 16 by suitable fasteners 21A. Other fastening arrangements may be provided for the band as will be well known to one skilled in the art.

The band 20 has a plurality of slits 20C with each slit extending from the bottom edge 20B to a top 20D at a respective slit which is located partway up the band 20. The top edge can be located directly at the clamping band 21 or may be lower as required. It will be appreciated that the slits 20C separate the band 20 into individual flaps which can open up under pressure from air attempting to exit through the holes 16C by hinging about a line across the top of the slits. Thus all of the flaps can pivot outwardly if the pressure inside the storage bin is elevated for example by an internal fan which draws external air and passes it through the stored material. Thus the fan pressure presses against the flaps defined by the band 20 forcing them open.

In the event that it is desired to clamp the flaps closed, a cable 22 wrapped around the flaps adjacent the bottom edge of the flaps can be pulled tight from a cable portion extending to the ground to ensure that the flaps are prevented from pivoting outwardly against the holding force of the cable. The cable can be attached to the band 20 by loops 23 attached to the outside of the band so that the cable remains in place when loosened allowing the flaps to pivot outwardly.

Thus the sleeve 16 provides air vents to release pressure from the interior of the storage bin thus avoiding the necessity for additional vents at positions spaced around the roof. All the necessary airflow vents can thus be provided in the single sleeve mounted at the center of the bin. The vents can be protected from penetration by moisture by the rain shield 17 and/or by the band 20 depending upon environmental conditions.

The open top of the sleeve 16 is covered by a cover panel 25. The cover panel 25 includes a central circular flat portion 26 and a slightly inclined portion 27 extending downwardly from the central portion 26 to an outer edge 28 t which there is provided a depending lip 29. The lip 29 is circular and can surround the outside edge of the top 16B of the sleeve 16 so as to inhibit the penetration of moisture under the cover 25 and into the open top of the sleeve 16. The cover panel can thus sit in place on top of the sleeve closing the sleeve while leaving the vent opening 16C available for the discharge of air.

The cover panel 25 can be moved from the closed position sitting on top of the sleeve 16 to an open position at one side of the sleeve 16 on a track 30 including a pair of track rails 31 and 32. The track rails 31 and 32 are parallel and spaced by the width of the cover panel so that each track rail is arranged at an edge of the cover panel 25 and carries that edge generally horizontally from the closed position to the open position as shown by comparing FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. At the edges of the cover panel 25 is provided a pair of carriages 33 and 34 each of which is attached around the edge 28 and each of which provides a pair of wheels 35 and 36 which run on a respective one of the tracks. Each of the tracks, as best shown in FIG. 3 is straight and generally horizontal along its main part from an outer end 37 to a position 38 along its length. At the position 38 the track curves downwardly and rearwardly to a bottom end 39. Each of the tracks is attached to the sleeve 16 by a bracket 40 which is fastened to the sleeve at a respective side of the sleeve and is bolted to the track by bolts 41. This mounting supports the track in fixed position relative to the sleeve so that it can carry the cover plate 25 from the closed position to the open position without the necessity for additional supports. In the open position, therefore, the cover plate is cantilevered on the tracks 31 and 32 at a position spaced outwardly from the sleeve 16.

The brackets 33 and 34 are shaped so that the wheel 35 is supported at a position on the bracket which is lower than the position of the wheel 36. This position corresponds to the position of the lower end 39 of the track so that when the wheels are located on the track with the wheel 35 at the end 39 and a wheel 36 at a position along the length of the track corresponding to the spacing between the wheels 35 and 36, the cover is in position sitting on top of the open end of the sleeve 16 with the flange 29 surrounding the top of the sleeve.

As shown in FIG. 2, the flange at the position beyond the end of the track projects outwardly from the edge of the sleeve as indicated by comparing the point 29A of the flange relative to the point 16X at the top of the sleeve. By comparing FIGS. 1 and 4, it will be noted that movement of the cover panel 25 along the tracks causes the wheel 35 to move along the curved portion of the track from the end 39 along the track toward the point 38. During this movement the wheel 35 moves upwardly as well as moving toward the right which thus acts to lift the point 29A of the cover panel 25 upwardly so that it clears the point 16X of the edge of the sleeve while the cover panel begins to open. Once the edge 29A has cleared the edge 16X, the cover panel can then move to the right carried along the tracks 31 and 32 in a generally horizontal direction. It is advantageous if the tracks rise slightly toward the right so that the wheels 35 and 36 are lifted as they moved toward the right so as to more effectively clear the bottom edge of the flange 29 relative to the top edge 16. Thus as shown in FIG. 5 the cover panel 25 has moved to its cantilevered position beyond the edge of the sleeve 16 thus exposing the opening in the sleeve 16 for filling of the bin through that opening.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, there is provided a latch 45 pulled by a cable 46 which acts to locate the cover panel 25 in both of its closed and open positions as required. The latch 45 includes a pin 46 which hangs into the track 31. Within the track is provided a pair of shoulders 47 and 48 which engage the pin 46. The shoulder 47 engages the pin 46 when the cover panel is in the closed position so that the pin holds the cover panel against movement toward the right in view of the abutment between the pin 46 and the shoulder 47. The pin can be spring biased downwardly into the track so as to be maintained against a shoulder 47. Similarly the shoulder 48 is located at a position which engages the pin 46 to prevent the cover panel from moving toward the left when it is in the open position.

In order for the pin to clear these shoulders 47 and 48, each shoulder is associated with a respective ramp 47A and 48A. Thus as the cover panel moves toward the right toward the open position, the spring biased pin 46 slides up over the ramp 48A to the end of the ramp when it drops over onto the shoulder 48 to prevent backward movement of the cover panel to return to the closed position. Similarly when the cover panel is moved toward the closed position, the pin slides over the ramp 47A until it reaches the shoulder 47 when the pin drops down to engage the shoulder 47 and hold the cover panel in the closed position. The pin 46 and the latch 45 are mounted for pivotal movement and this pivotal movement is effected by pulling on the cable 45A which extends to the ground. The cable 45A passes through a loop 45B on the cover panel 25 so that it is maintained in a suitable position relative to the latch 45. Thus a person pulling on the cable 45A firstly releases the latch from its respective shoulder whereupon the cover panel can be move from its latch position to the required position of open or closed. The preferable slight incline of the track provides a gravity return of a cover panel from its open position to its closed position once the latch has been released. Movement upward of the tracks from the closed position to the open position is effected by pulling on the cable which passes over an edge of the roof of the storage bin to provide a pulling action along the direction of the track 30.

In FIG. 6 is shown a further closure member including the sleeve 16 and a cover panel 25 mounted on track 30. The sleeve, track and cover are substantially as previously described. In this embodiment, however, the bottom edge of the sleeve as indicated at 16A is attached to a conical section 50 which is welded or otherwise attached to the bottom edge 16A at an upper edge 51 of the conical section. From that upper edge, the conical section tapers inwardly and downwardly to a bottom edge 52 which is narrower than the top edge 51. In this way the conical section can be inserted within a collar 53 of an existing bin generally indicated at 54.

It is common that existing bins have a relatively small filling opening at the top defined by the collar 53. In order that the sleeve 16 may be manufactured as a common size for different types of bins, the sleeve 16 is manufactured to the maximum diameter of filling openings of commercially available bins. In order that the sleeve 16, which is of greater diameter than the opening of the bin to which it is to be attached, can fit the collar 53, the conical section 50 is inserted into the collar 53 as far as is necessary to match the diameter of the collar 53.

In addition the manufacture of a sleeve 16 at the maximum diameter ensures that there is sufficient air space defined by the vent openings 16C to allow the exit of air. It will be appreciated that the sum of the areas of the vent openings is preferably approximately equal to the area of the opening 53 so that there is no restriction to air flow. For this purpose while minimizing the height of the sleeve 16, it is preferable that the sleeve 16 has maximum diameter.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. 

1. A closure member for a top opening of a storage bin: wherein the storage bin includes a roof with a top opening through which the bin can be filled by material discharged downwardly through the opening; the closure member comprising: a sleeve for engagement with the bin at the opening, the sleeve having a peripheral wall surrounding an axis of the sleeve; the sleeve being arranged to be mounted on the bin at the opening so as to hold the axis to stand substantially upright from the opening with the sleeve extending upwardly from the opening; the sleeve defining an open top end for pouring material through the sleeve into the bin; a cover plate for movement between a closed position covering the open top end and an open position in which the open top end is exposed; the sleeve having a plurality of openings therethrough at angularly spaced positions therearound for allowing vent air to pass between the interior and the exterior of the bin.
 2. The closure member according to claim 1 wherein the sleeve includes a cylindrical portion defining a vertical wall and wherein the openings are arranged in the cylindrical portion.
 3. The closure member according to claim 1 wherein there is provided an overhanging cover surface surrounding the sleeve above the openings and extending outwardly from the sleeve to inhibit penetration of rain through the openings.
 4. The closure member according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a depending flap member over the openings which is arranged such that it flexes away from the sleeve when air flows from the interior to the exterior through the openings and is pressed onto the sleeve when air tends to flow from the exterior to the interior thus inhibiting penetration of exterior materials.
 5. The closure member according to claim 4 wherein the flap member comprises a surrounding band of a flexible material which is slit from the bottom and attached at a top edge above the openings.
 6. The closure member according to claim 1 wherein the sleeve includes a bottom tapered portion which tapers downwardly and inwardly from a cylindrical portion to a bottom edge and wherein the tapered portion is arranged to fit in a bin opening having a smaller diameter than the cylindrical portion.
 7. The closure member according to claim 1 wherein the cover plate has a depending lip for surrounding an outer surface of the sleeve at the open top of the sleeve, wherein there is provided a track extending generally horizontally from the open top of the sleeve to one side therefor for carrying the cover plate from the closed position to the open position at the one side
 8. The closure member according to claim 7 wherein the track is shaped to lift the lip over the open top end to allow the cover plate to move to the side.
 9. The closure member according to claim 7 wherein the track includes a pair of track rails spaced by a width of the cover plate and arranged to engage respective sides of the cover plate.
 10. The closure member according to claim 7 wherein there is provided a latch member actuable to hold the cover plate in the closed position and in the open position.
 11. The closure member according to claim 10 wherein the latch member is carried on the cover plate and is operable to engage and release stops provided on the track.
 12. The closure member according to claim 10 wherein the cover plate is pulled from the closed position to the open position by a cable attached to the latch member.
 13. The closure member according to claim 7 wherein the track is arranged to rise slightly from the closed position to the open position such that the cover plate returns to the closed position under gravity by running down the track.
 14. A closure member for a top opening of a storage bin: wherein the storage bin includes a roof with a top opening through which the bin can be filled by material discharged downwardly through the opening; the closure member comprising: a sleeve for engagement with the bin at the opening, the sleeve having a peripheral wall surrounding an axis of the sleeve; the sleeve being arranged to be mounted on the bin at the opening so as to hold the axis to stand substantially upright from the opening with the sleeve extending upwardly from the opening; the sleeve defining an open top end for pouring material through the sleeve into the bin; a cover plate for movement between a closed position covering the open top end and an open position in which the open top end is exposed; wherein the cover plate has a depending lip for surrounding an outer surface of the sleeve at the open top of the sleeve, wherein there is provided a track extending generally horizontally from the open top of the sleeve to one side thereof for carrying the cover plate from the closed position to the open position at the one side; and wherein the track is shaped to lift the lip over the open top end to allow the cover plate to move to the side.
 15. The closure member according to claim 14 wherein the track includes a pair of track rails spaced by a width of the cover plate and arranged to engage respective sides of the cover plate.
 16. The closure member according to claim 14 wherein there is provided a latch member actuable to hold the cover plate in the closed position and in the open position.
 17. The closure member according to claim 16 wherein the latch member is carried on the cover plate and is operable to engage and release stops provided on the track.
 18. The closure member according to Cclaim 16 wherein the cover plate is pulled from the closed position to the open position by a cable attached to the latch member.
 19. The closure member according to claim 14 wherein the track is arranged to rise slightly from the closed position to the open position such that the cover plate returns to the closed position under gravity by running down the track.
 20. A closure member for a top opening of a storage bin: wherein the storage bin includes a roof with a top opening through which the bin can be filled by material discharged downwardly through the opening; the closure member comprising: a sleeve for engagement with the bin at the opening, the sleeve having a peripheral wall surrounding an axis of the sleeve; the sleeve being arranged to be mounted on the bin at the opening so as to hold the axis to stand substantially upright from the opening with the sleeve extending upwardly from the opening; the sleeve defining an open top end for pouring material through the sleeve into the bin; a cover plate for movement between a closed position covering the open top end and an open position in which the open top end is exposed; wherein the sleeve includes a cylindrical portion and a bottom tapered portion which tapers downwardly and inwardly from the cylindrical portion to a bottom edge and wherein the tapered portion is arranged to fit in a bin opening having a smaller diameter than the cylindrical portion. 